Common Dental Myths Debunked [BLOG]

April 3, 2017

At Bright Star Dental, we take a proactive approach to oral health. When you come in for a routine dental cleaning and exam, Dr. Gilbert and our highly skilled hygienists use the latest in dental technology to remove plaque and tartar buildup.

This helps you avoid such dental problems as tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. But we donâ€™t stop there. Dr. Gilbert will perform an oral cancer screening to check for any warning signs you may have.

We also offer an array of other preventive procedures to help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. But there are also things you can do at home to protect yourself from oral health problems. One of those things is to stay current on information about proper dental care.

Thatâ€™s why weâ€™re spending todayâ€™s blog on debunking some common dental myths that could be harming your teeth. Letâ€™s get started!

Myth #1: Sugar is the only cause of tooth decay.

While sugar is certainly one of the main causes of tooth decay, many people tend to disregard the role that acidic food and drinks have on your oral health. Some common suspects in enamel erosion are what you might expect. Coffee and alcohol, for example, do threaten your enamel.

But would you be surprised to know that fruit is on the list of things to look out for? Itâ€™s true. Oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, and other similar fruits, while certainly healthy, are actually acidic enough to erode your enamel if youâ€™re not careful.

You can combat their negative impact on your teeth by consuming them with water to help dilute the acid and better protect your tooth enamel.

Myth #2: Silver fillings donâ€™t need to be replaced.

The fact is, nearly 52% of silver fillings contain mercury, which can have an adverse effect on your overall health. Studies have linked mercury to certain autoimmune and chronic diseases. If you happen to grind your teeth, drink a lot of hot beverages, or chew gum, youâ€™re putting yourself at even greater risk of being harmed by whatâ€™s in your silver fillings.

Fortunately, our Las Cruces dental office houses the latest in advanced technology and can replace your silver fillings with new tooth-colored fillings to not only protect you from cavities and decay, but from any harmful mercury from older dental work.

If you have some silver amalgam fillings youâ€™d like to have replaced, give us a call at Bright Star Dental to schedule an appointment.

Myth #3: If I had gum disease, Iâ€™d know it.

As scary as it may seem, itâ€™s very possible to have early stage gum disease, also called gingivitis, and not know it. Gum disease is a sneaky, slow moving infection that can take years to fully take over your mouth.

So, for example, you might not notice any problems with your gums, such as swelling or redness, for a long time. If undetected and untreated, gum disease can develop further into a more advanced stage. Once this happens, youâ€™re at a greater risk for eventually losing your teeth.

Luckily, we offer gum disease treatment at Bright Star Dental. Obviously, the earlier we catch gum disease, the more likely it will be that we can reverse it. If itâ€™s allowed to advance further without professional intervention, it may require tooth extraction and dental implants. This would be a worst case scenario, however.

The best thing you can do to achieve and maintain your best oral and overall health is to visit us at least twice a year for your routine dental checkups. Have you scheduled yours yet?